lyndarra

Alaska is a long way from home and, to make the most of it, it was three night Denali for me. From my experience most visitors, especially cruisers, arrive late in the day and leave in the morning. Therefore, two nights is only one day and if a Tundra tour is taken there's no time to do much else and there is a lot more that can be done. So far I have done three Alaska cruises and two Denali stays, both three nighters, and one time continued on to Fairbanks for a couple of nights. I would do it again if I ever have the opportunity.

Minimum order is AUD400. Which is likely more than you could spend. I can't recall how much I had but to start but I had PKG50 at our last of three ports which I split between two schools, as donations, to get rid of it.

Refund of $2500 has finally come through although, from my point of view, it has does nothing to enhance their reputation one bit. Qantas, in my eyes, is an airline of last resort - after Jetsar.

Visited Alotau in 2019 on HAL Noordam. We booked 2 ship tours and enjoyed both. First was a historical cruise along the coast which was very interesting. Our guide, a local bloke who went to school in Oz, was very knowledgable on WW2 history of Papua/New Guinea. Light refreshments and drinks were served. Saw some dolphins along the way. The second tour was a bus ride to a small village where we had lunch of home grown produce cooked over the family fire. Afterwards we were entertained with a performance by local dancers. The bus was old with no aircon but who needs it? I can get by without, after all it's not Miami🥱. We could see the local market but did not really have much time to go there before or after tours. It was a bit of a hike from the ship. Kina was available on the ship before going ashore.

I thought the muster drill cancels itself once you have checked in at your muster station. It did with us on NA in June.

I believe it was only 132 square feet. I did a search and found a video which I think was my cabin. It would have been really cramped with two people.

It was an ocean view.

Wishful thinking?

2019 MSC Divina Genoa/Miami. I booked a fly/cruise with TA and paid single supplement. I expected I would be allocated a double cabin but instead, I found I was in an obviuosly solo cabin into which a double bed had been squeezed. It was the tiniest cabin I have ever seen. Not even enough room for a chair much less a sofa.

Some new destinations would be nice.

That appears better than I thought. I may start planning a trip or three. Thanks

OT. Curious about how many Velocity points for BC to Europe?

Intention was John Lennon but somehow morphed into Ozzy Osbourne.😟

Only five years to go.😄

Brings it in line corkage on HAL.

I like the "Rock Star" bit. Fit right in.

Morning service is enough. As mentioned before, how hard is it to do a turn down? For me, I am a little irked to find the curtains drawn at turn down. I like to see outside anytime of day or night. Also, with staff cut backs, it gives my cabin attendant a bit of a break.

My first cruise on Volendam, 2013 IIRC, I was given a jacket on entering the MDR. I didn't have to wear it as the MD allowed me to hang it over the back of my chair.😊

I received the same offer. From my understanding the cruises are out of Sydney or Melbourne, are only four or five days and are not port intensive. It may be ok if you just want to give it a try to see if you like cruising with usual extras included as standard. I've decided to give it a miss as I much prefer longer cruises. There is a thread already started on this in the Australia and New Zealand forum.

My only canal cruise was with Celebrity and we did all our tours by linking up with Roll Call people. Recently cruised Alaska on HAL and booked all tours through private operators. Most cruise lines are similar in pricing of tours, i.e. overpriced, so try Roll Call first. I only do the ship tours when there is something I would like to see or do, not covered by a private operator, e.g. a Maori cultural talk in a waka whare (canoe house) and participating in a paddle tour in a war canoe (waka) in Wellington harbour, New Zealand.

Yep. I don't spend money to get points. I get points for paying bills, rates, insurance, groceries. Oh, nearly forgot. Paying for cruises.

You're quite right. Supplying cash is very expensive for banks. Cost of armoured cars, insurance costs for armoured car employees. Security guard cost at drop off and pick up times. Business employees' time, having to count cash and take it to banks, if there are any still around. There is huge cost involved to have ATMs supplied and serviced. PTSD costs after armed hold ups. I once worked weekends re-filling ATMs and doing minor servicing when breakdowns occured. Think about that when you have a cash withdrawal fee charged. Coin is even more expensive to move around due to weight and many bank employees ended up with back injuries moving heavy bags. And keep in mind, government cost in printing and minting is coming from taxes we pay. As far as I know printing and minting has not been sold off - yet. Since when does anything become cheaper if privatised?

I got that one also. Very tempting as I have plenty of points to do it, but, atm, no one to do it with.

When I hear mention of Beyond the Podium I think of Milos. Is he still cruising?

I lived at the Bay - Warner's Bay on the above Lake. I now live next to Village Bay and I don't call it anything. Hmm. I agree Town is Newcastle, always knew it as that. I hate it being calling it Newie. Meh.